What to Do in Edinburgh
Right, so you've probably devoured our absolutely mental guide to Edinburgh Fringe 2025 and now you're thinking: "Brilliant, but where are the vibes post comedy in Edinburgh?" Listen, Edinburgh isn't just castles and shortbread - this city's got a dark, wild underbelly that'll make your standard weekend look like a church picnic.
Whether you're here for the Fringe madness or just fancy getting properly lost in Scotland's capital, we're about to show you the Edinburgh that guidebooks won't touch. The one where comedians go to die on stage and resurrect themselves with whisky.
What to Do in Edinburgh: The Underground Scene
The Real Mary King's Close - Where Edinburgh Gets Dark
Forget your sanitised museum experiences - The Real Mary King's Close is where Edinburgh's twisted history lives. This preserved 17th-century street was literally bricked up with plague victims still inside. Now you can wander through their houses while guides tell you about the "gardyloo" tradition - literally chucking human waste out windows. The tours are proper theatrical, not your boring school trip nonsense.
Edinburgh Vaults - Haunted Shenanigans
The South Bridge Vaults aren't for the faint-hearted. These underground chambers were Edinburgh's dirty secret - illegal distilleries, body snatchers' storage, and allegedly the most haunted spot in Scotland. Mercat Tours do late-night ghost tours that'll have you sleeping with the lights on. Or grab a drink at The Banshee Labyrinth - Scotland's most haunted pub built right into the vaults. They've got cinema screenings in a cave. Mental.
Late Night Vibes - Where Edinburgh Gets Messy
Sneaky Pete's - Sweat Box Excellence
Sneaky Pete's on Cowgate is where you go when everywhere else is too civilised. This tiny basement venue hosts everything from punk bands to techno DJs. During Fringe, it's where comedians go to forget their bad reviews. Capacity of about 100, so it gets properly sweaty.
Cabaret Voltaire - Underground Chaos
Cabaret Voltaire (or Cab Vol to locals) is 36 chambers of underground madness. Electronic music, live bands, and during Fringe, the weirdest late-night comedy you'll find. Their 4am license means you can make terrible decisions until sunrise.
The Jazz Bar - Musicians' Paradise
Don't let the name fool you - The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street hosts everything from funk to hip-hop. Two floors, live music every night, and a crowd that actually knows their stuff. Free entry most nights before 11pm.
Alternative Edinburgh - The Weird Stuff
Camera Obscura - Trippy AF
Camera Obscura sounds boring but it's actually mental. Six floors of optical illusions that'll mess with your head worse than that third whisky. The rooftop views are epic, and they've got a vortex tunnel that'll have you grabbing the walls.
Edinburgh Dungeon - Hammy Horror
Look, Edinburgh Dungeon is touristy as hell, but after a few drinks, it's hilarious. Live actors jumping out at you, terrible Scottish accents, and a boat ride through plague-infested Edinburgh. It's like a ghost train designed by someone who watched too much Horrible Histories.
Dr Neil's Garden - Secret Spot
Dr Neil's Garden in Duddingston is Edinburgh's best-kept secret. Hidden behind a church, this place is where locals go to escape tourist chaos. Free entry, barely anyone knows about it, and it's right by The Sheep Heid Inn - Edinburgh's oldest pub with a actual skittles alley.
Pubs That Don't Suck
The Hanging Bat
The Hanging Bat on Lothian Road - craft beer heaven with 100+ choices and they serve proper American BBQ. Where beer nerds and meat lovers unite.
Panda & Sons
Panda & Sons - a speakeasy hidden behind a barbershop front. Press the bookcase, descend into cocktail paradise. Expensive but worth it for the theatre alone.
The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate in an old Victorian pump house. Whisky menu that'll make you weep with joy, no tourist prices, proper Edinburgh vibes.
Where to Drink and Eat in Edinburgh
Whisky Education
You can't come to Scotland and not try whisky. The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile does tours that'll teach you the difference between your Speyside and your Islay. They've got a barrel ride that's surprisingly not naff, and a collection of nearly 4,000 bottles.
Where to Eat (That's Not Tourist Trap Haggis)
Oink
The Mosque Kitchen
The Elephants House
Wings
Free Stuff (Because Edinburgh's Expensive Enough)
Arthur's Seat - Nature's StairMaster
Want to feel like you're dying but also see incredible views? Climb Arthur's Seat. It's free, it's knackering, and on a clear day you can see for miles. Takes about 45 minutes if you're reasonably fit, longer if you're hungover from last night's comedy show.
Dean Village - Instagram Gold
Ten minutes walk from Princes Street and you're in what looks like a fairy tale village. Dean Village is stupidly photogenic and completely free to wander around. The Water of Leith path runs through it if you fancy a longer walk.
Calton Hill - Views Without the Workout
Can't be arsed with Arthur's Seat? Calton Hill is your friend. Much easier climb, still epic views, plus you get the National Monument (Edinburgh's attempt at recreating the Parthenon that they never finished because they ran out of money - peak Scottish).
What's On in Edinburgh - Comedy Gold We Haven't Told You About Yet
Right, you've read our main Fringe guide, but here's four absolute bangers we need to talk about:
Look, we're Comedy Freaks, so we can't write about Edinburgh without mentioning that this city, every year in August, host one of the best and biggest comedy festivals in the world. Here are here's four killer comedy shows you can still catch in August, 2025:
Shalaka Kurup: Get A Grip
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard - The Attic
Time: 16:15
Dates: 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 12th)
Book Tickets: Shalaka Kurup: Get a Grip
This Indian comedy powerhouse is bringing her A-game to Edinburgh. Shalaka's got that rare ability to be absolutely savage while making you feel like you're chatting with your funniest mate. She's talking mental health, dating disasters, and why millennials can't afford therapy but will drop £50 on crystals. Fresh off touring with Russell Howard, she knows how to work a room. This is stand-up that'll make you laugh and then immediately text your therapist.
Grace Helbig: Let Me Get This Off My Chest
Venue: Assembly George Square Studios - Studio Three
Time: 17:00
Dates: 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 13th)
Book Tickets: Grace Helbig: Let Me Get This Off My Chest
YouTube royalty hits Edinburgh! Grace Helbig's bringing her internet-breaking humor to the stage. After conquering the digital world, surviving breast cancer, and making millions laugh online, she's got stories that'll make your jaw drop. Expect confessions about her "internet famous" life, health scares that changed everything, and why being vulnerable is the new cool. If you've ever felt like an anxious mess pretending to be an adult, this show's your therapy session.
Emmanuel Sonubi: Life After Near Death
Venue: Monkey Barrel Comedy - The Hive
Time: 19:30
Dates: 31 Jul - 25 Aug
Book Tickets: Emanueal Sonubi: Life After Near Death
Emmanuel literally died on stage (medically, not comedically) and lived to joke about it. This absolute legend had a heart attack mid-set and now he's turning that mental experience into comedy gold. From North London council estates to nearly checking out permanently, Emmanuel's got perspective that'll make you rethink everything. Raw, real, and ridiculously funny - this is storytelling at its finest.
The Comedy Circuit (Year-Round)
Outside Fringe, Edinburgh's comedy scene still slaps:
- The Stand Comedy Club - The OG, where Kevin Bridges started
- Monkey Barrel Comedy - Three venues, comedy every night
- Just The Tonic - Saturday shows at The Caves
And obviously, when you're back in London, come see us at Comedy Freaks in Kings Cross. We're bringing Edinburgh energy to London every every week with comedy shows every Friday and Saturday in NW London!
Conclusion: Edinburgh Will Ruin You (In The Best Way)
So what's on in Edinburgh? Absolute chaos, that's what. This city's got more personality disorders than a psychology textbook. From underground vaults to 4am raves, from comedy gold to whisky that costs more than your rent, Edinburgh doesn't do things by halves.
What to do in Edinburgh depends on your pain threshold. Can you handle ghost tours in actual plague pits? Comedy shows where you might become part of the act? Pubs older than most countries? Then Edinburgh's your playground.
The best part? It's all walkable, though after a night at Sneaky Pete's, you might need an Uber.
Come for the Fringe, stay for the chaos, leave with stories you can't tell your mum. And when you recover, come share those stories at our London shows. We love a good Edinburgh survivor.
Now get out there and explore. And when you're done, come tell us about it at one of our London comedy nights. We love a good Edinburgh story.
P.S. - If someone tries to sell you "authentic Scottish haggis pizza," just say no. Trust us on this one.
